[Mindsgoneawol]

First .. Hello all..

I am thinking about plunging into saltwater aquaria.. I keep seeing all the beautiful and interesting aquariums. I would like to try and build my own reef to enjoy. I had many wonderful times with my freshwater tanks and now I want to venture into saltwater. If possible. Can I get some input on what to buy. I am thinking about a 55 gal setup to start and will hopefully get into larger once I get a better understanding from upkeep to adding new creatures.

any pointers would be apreciated. and yes. its gonna be alot of work but thats the fun of it for me. I will be able to enjoy the beauty of my work.

Thanx again.

[fritz]

You're puttting the cart before the horse.... First you need to decide what you want to keep. Different corals/fish require VERY different things. First find a reef that you like and start from there.

www.wetwebmedia.com is a good resource for all types of reef knowledge.

Keep us posted!
Welcome to MR and enjoy!

	Manhattan Reefs Manhattan Reefs, the best aquarium community on Planet Earth!

[Deanos]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mindsgoneawol Can I get some input on what to buy.

Welcome to Manhattan Reefs!!!

Your first purchase is a pair of reading glasses. If you're starting from scratch, there's tons to learn about marine aquariums, only some of which you've learned from keeping freshwater. Here's a few places to start:

Marine setup #1

Marine setup #2

10 Easy steps to setting up a marine tank

Saltwater Aquariums 101

Good luck!

[jhale]

I would suggest not buying a 55 gallon tank. The shape is horrible for aquascaping. I started out with one and was never happy with the long skinny proportions. For a reef think about getting something shaped like a shorter rectangle, like a 65 gallon. When your ready check our selling forum, people are often selling used tanks at a fraction of the new cost.

[House of Laughter]

A 75 would be a good start and many say a 90 is the best start for a reef - I say if you have the room, start with a 120, it will be more forgiving and will allow you more flexibility.

Welcome to MR and you are certainly welcome to come by for a review of the system on a larger scale.

House

	Manhattan Reefs Manhattan Reefs, the best aquarium community on Planet Earth!

[Chiefmcfuz]

Welcome to MR. After you decide what kind of reef you want (fish type and coral type) get the biggest possible tank you can afford and your floor can support.

	Manhattan Reefs Manhattan Reefs, the best aquarium community on Planet Earth!

[masterswimmer]

Howdy, and welcome to MR. You've done well already!!! You're asking questions BEFORE you buy. I'd say you're already on the road to success.

The links that Deano posted are great. Spend your time reading and understanding the nomenclature before diving in head first. It'll do a few things for you, guide you to success, save big $$$ and elevate your comfort level.....for starters.

The members here on MR are a great source of information as well. Good luck and join in on our discussions.

Russ

	Manhattan Reefs Manhattan Reefs, the best aquarium community on Planet Earth!

[Mindsgoneawol]

I have found some creatures I would like to have. My daughters love the Nemo movie and I have always wanted a clown fish. I saw 3 different clown fish I like and am reading about them.. Hermit crabs are another favorite of mine. (got a softspot for those little buggers.. lol.)

The 3 Clowns I found are:

Citrinis Clown Goby
Ocellaris Clownfish
Green Clown Goby

I still haven't go to far into looking into them yet for temperment and such. I do know they need Anemones. But as I said. I haven't got that far. Its gonna take awhile for me to get capital for the aquarium. And time to get it up and running ready for the creatures. (gotta make sure the biology is right in the water)

Some other fish I have been looking at are:

Auriga Butterflyfish
Raccoon Butterflyfish
Pacific Blue Tang
Yellow Hawaiian Tang
Foxface Lo
Neon Gold Goby

Other tank mates:

Halloween Hermit Crab
Dwarf Red
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab
Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab
The Electric Blue Hermit Crab


Eventually I will have several aquariums. One will be totally dedicated to a pair of Lionfish.. (I could watch just them for hours.. lol..)

Still researching to see what I have listed will behave together. I read someplace that those I listed are beginner fish. If so I am set. But I still have a long way to go. I am going to check into prices on aquarium glass. If its somewhat reasonable I may just build my aquarium and a custom cabinet. That way all the filters and such will fit where I can get to them.

Thanx for the warm welcome and all the great info.. Got alot of reading to do this weekend.. (and any time I can find around my work scedule)

Thanx again.

[Chiefmcfuz]

The clowns you have listed Only the Osc is a clownfish the other 2 are goby's.

Hermits only get the scarlet hermits they are less likely to feast on your snails.

Butterfly fish and corals are a bad mix Foxface is venemous with its dorsal fins.

Blue tang needs a very large tank I'd say at least a 90 gallon.

The key is to start off slow and go very slow as you progress.

[Chiefmcfuz]

Part 2. You need to decidce wether you are going to go bare bottom in the tank or use sand. That is your choice. Goby's aren't going to be happy bare bottom they like to burrow in the sand. Snails are a good addition to a cleanup crew and help keep algae down. Especially on the glass. The tank estimate on the Tang above is only an estimate I would go 125 or 120 gallon if you plan on keeping such large fish together. Read all you can about the minimum req's of all of the fish. And these invert's. Also most of us have made the mistakes so you don't have to so runn stuff by people here to save you a ton of heartache and cash.